Arthur Name Meaning & Origin
Arthur
Origin of the name Arthur:
Of Celtic origin but of unknown meaning. The name was borne by the legendary British King Arthur, leader of the knights of the Round Table, who supposedly lived in the 5th or 6th century. The name gained popularity from the great body of Arthurian legend that has remained of interest over the centuries. Var: Arthwr. Short: Art.
From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman.
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US Popularity of Arthur Over Time

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Name Lists Featuring Arthur
- Danish Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Denmark 2014
- New Zealand Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in New Zealand 2014
- Belgian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Belgium (Flanders) 2014
- English and Welsh Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in England and Wales (2013)
- Canadian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Canada (Quebec) 2014
- French Boys Names: Most Popular Boys Names in France 2014
- Armenian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Armenia, 2010
- Belgian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Belgium (Flanders), 2010
- French Boys Names: Most Popular Boys Names in France, 2010
- Swiss Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Switzerland (French), 2010
- Canadian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Canada (Quebec), 2010
- English and Welsh Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in England and Wales
- Canadian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Canada (Quebec) for 2012
- English Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in England
- Welsh Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Wales
- Belgian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Belgium (Flanders) for 2012
- French Boys Names: Most Popular Boys Names in France 2012
- French Boys Names: Most Popular Boys Names in France
- Danish Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Denmark
- Canadian Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Canada (Quebec)
- New Zealand Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in New Zealand
- Swiss Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in Switzerland
- English Boys Names: Most Popular Names for Boys in England
Contribute your knowledge to the name Arthur
- Comments and insights on the name Arthur
I think this is a very sweet, gentle and friendly-sounding name. I also love how Artie and Art can be nicknames for it. Gorgeous!
One of the possible derivations is from the Briton word art meaning bear.
The French pronunciation is AR-tour
Sounds like the name of a brit with huge eyebrows and a temper, dude.
Wonderful name for a boy with green eyes.
Perfect for a shaggy blond haired british gay boy with strange hallucinations, a love for tea and a loud and obnoxious bunch of friend/family.
- Personal experiences with the name Arthur
My maternal grandfather is named Arthur, and he goes by Art. His favorite comment about his name is, "I wouldn't name a rattlesnake Arthur!"
We named our son Arthur. We love it, and most reactions are very positive from the educated/artsy crowd in our generation. My parents' generation is taken aback and assumes it's a family name (it's not). Arthur is just too cute on a toddler, and it's a name he can grow into for the rest of his life.
Best name to be never mispelled. Our son Arthur (4) gets lots of smiles when he tells his name because he still can't say his Rs. oh well.
He's cute and all, but has a horrible fashion sense and cooking skills. He may be mon amour, but he's still the black sheep of Europe.
He's mean! Always telling me to quit coming to the meetings! I swear -- one day he will bow down to me, as I, the personification of Sealand, will one day grow bigger than him!
Dude, I swear Arthur is the best brother there is. He raised me as a child, and the only reason I left him is because I wanted to be strong like him. I look up to him, he used to have so much power. However, he likes tea way too much; Coffee is clearly better. He's also very cynical and sarcastic though, but he does have a wonderful British accent. - Alfred Freedom Jones
He's my little brother, so sweet, but doesn't know how to communicate well.
- Nicknames for Arthur
Art, Artie, Artu, Bear, Tuur, Ari
- Meanings and history of the name Arthur
From the Celtic, artos, "a bear"
- Famous real-life people named Arthur
King Arthur Pendragon - the Arthurian Legends
Arthur, Prince of Wales (1486-1502) - older brother of Henry VIII
Arthur Ashe, professional tennis player
Arthur Balfour (1848-1930) - British Prime Minister 1902-5
Arthur C. Clark, British science fiction author
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Scottish physician and writer of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries.
Arthur Miller, Playwright
Arthur Marx, Harpo Marx's real name
Sir Arthur Sullivan, composer, collaborator with W.S. Gilbert (Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado)
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1769-1852)- British general and Prime Minister
Arthur Saint Bleick (b. 2011), son of American film, television, and theater actress Selma Blair- Arthur in song, story & screen
Arthur Penhaligon- the main character in the book series 'The Keys to the Kingdom' by Garth Nix.
Arthur Bach, the title character in the 1981 film comedy Arthur, starring Dudley Moore
Arthur Dent, the protagonist of Douglas Adams' science fiction series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Arthur Timothy Read, an eight-year old aardvark in the children's animated television program Arthur
Arthur Weasley, a character in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter septology
Arthur Curry, real name of Aquaman in DC comics
Arthur "Boo" Radley, reclusive character from "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.
Arthur, fictional character in the film Inception, portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Arthur Kirkland, the personified form of Britain in the anime Hetalia.